Juggling act: Vertonghen has started just three Premier League matches Getty

Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed talk of a rift with Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen.

The Belgium international has made just three starts in Spurs opening six Premier League matches, but the Argentine boss insists any suggestion his absence is down to tension in the dressing room is 'wrong'.

Arsenal v Tottenham: Player Ratings

Arsenal v Tottenham: Player Ratings

1/26
Wojciech Szczesny: 5

2/26
Calum Chambers: 6

Got forward well to support Arsenal’s attacks and was comfortable defensively, taking everything in his stride again. Booked late on.

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3/26
Per Mertesacker: 5

Lack of pace was exposed a few times, which will have concerned Arsene Wenger.

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4/26
Laurent Koscielny: 6

Mopped up on a couple of occasions, and dealt well with Emmanuel Adebayor.

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5/26
Kieran Gibbs: 6

Gave Arsenal a lot of width with his constant running, and solid against Spurs’ wingers.

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6/26
Jack Wilshere: 6

Dictated the play from central midfield, and went on a few driving runs forward. Went off after an hour carrying a knock.

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7/26
Mikel Arteta: 5

Put in some good tackles before going off injured after half an hour.

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8/26
Aaron Ramsey: 5

Looked busy and saw plenty of the ball, but limped off injured just before half-time.

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9/26
Mesut Ozil: 6

Made things happen for Arsenal with his gliding dribbles and pinpoint passing. Could have scored with low effort saved by Hugo Lloris.

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10/26
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7

Arsenal’s best player - always looking to get on the ball and take on his man, and rewarded with the well-taken equaliser.

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11/26
Danny Welbeck: 6

Started brightly and looked a handful but faded in the second half.

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12/26
Mathieu Flamini: 5

Brought on early for Arteta, and was turned a couple of times when he needed to stay on his feet.

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13/26
Santi Cazorla: 7

Injected purpose and directness to the Arsenal side when he came on for Ramsey. Set up Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal with fizzed cross.

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14/26
Alexis Sanchez: 6

Plenty of energy as usual, but not quite the finesse to match.

15/26
Hugo Lloris: 7

Exuded calmness all evening, and made a couple of decent saves.

Tottenham Hotspur's French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris makes a save during the UEFA Europa League qualifying round play-off second-leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and AEL Limassol at White Hart Lane in London on August 28, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN ST

16/26
Kyle Naughton: 6

Stuck to his task well, especially against Sanchez when the Chilean came on and tried to get at him.

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17/26
Younes Kaboul: 7

A real captain’s performance, full of blocks and well-timed interceptions.

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18/26
Jan Vertonghen: 6

Solid all evening, and put in some crunching tackles.

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19/26
Danny Rose: 6

Reigned in his attacking instincts as Spurs invited pressure, but defended well.

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20/26
Ettenne Capoue: 6

Disciplined at the base of the Spurs midfield, and didn’t let Arsenal’s runners build up a head of steam.

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21/26
Ryan Mason: 6

An encouraging full Premier League debut from the youngster, who snapped into tackles and looked good on the ball.

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22/26
Erik Lamela: 6

Drifted in and out of the match, but created Chadli’s opener with a perfectly weighted pass.

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23/26
Christian Eriksen: 6

Struggled to get into the game but did well to dispossess Flamini in the build-up to Chadli’s goal. Taken off after an hour.

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24/26
Nacer Chadli: 6

Took his goal clinically, after making a mess of first-half opportunity. Withdrawn for the final 10 minutes.

25/26
Emmanuel Adebayor: 5

Couldn’t make any real contribution and picked up inevitable booking.

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26/26
Aaron Lennon: 5

Came on for Eriksen to stretch the Arsenal back four but barely got a touch.

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Despite failing to make regular league starts, Vertonghen impressed as Tottenham drew 1-1 at the home of bitter rivals Arsenal on Saturday and Pochettino revealed it is important he continues juggling his squad.

"Maybe because I pick players in different games but any problem with Jan, this is wrong," Pochettino told the Newham Recorder.

"We have a lot of games ahead and need to see and analyse the performance and analyse the situation after the game.

"Maybe tired, maybe some problem, and after you need to manage. We have a strong squad and this is important."